ÖBB has reopened the section between Hall in Tirol and Innsbruck main station following the completion of the new Rauchmühl Bridge. Passenger and freight services resumed early Friday morning after the structure passed a load test using two heavy freight locomotives with a combined weight of more than 160 tonnes.
The bridge replacement required a full closure of the West Line section between Rum and Innsbruck for 23 days. During the blockade, the old steel bridge was removed and a new concrete structure measuring 29 metres in length and more than 11 metres in width was installed. Rail services were partially rerouted via the Innsbruck bypass tunnel, while long-distance and regional passengers were served by replacement buses.
ÖBB said up to 90 buses were deployed at peak times, covering a total distance of around 302,000 kilometres during the closure. With the reopening, long-distance and regional journey times on the corridor are returning to normal, restoring one of the main rail arteries in western Austria.
The bridge was replaced due to the age and limited load capacity of the previous structure, which had been in service for more than 60 years. The new concrete bridge is expected to support higher traffic volumes and provide longer service life on the heavily used West Line.